• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Does Partisanship make it difficult for people to discuss politics?

Unitedwestand13

Unitedwestand13

DP Veteran
Joined
Jan 24, 2013
Messages
20,738
Reaction score
6,290
Location
Sunnyvale California
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Liberal
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
 
My approach is scorched earth, take no prisoners. Hoo ya.
 
I try not to discuss politics. Ever.
 
Ignorance makes it harder. Most people who you would label as partisan hacks simply don't know very much. They don't know a lot about their own side, and they know almost nothing about the other. Or any of the myriad other positions that aren't mainstream R or D. Most don't know that such a thing is possible.

Ignorance is what keeps us back.
 
Interesting OP. And I'll bet there are many different answers that you'll get. With me I'll say "It depends".

I have some very Liberal friends. We've agreed to not discuss politics at all. They won't change my mind, and I won't change theirs.

I have a lot of moderate friends. We actually talk politics a lot. We all try to learn from each other. Sometimes we start with a single issue, like elections, but sometimes it starts by asking a question - "What do you think about Keystone", or things like that.

I have a lot of pretty far right leaning friends. I usually do well with them too unless I say something crazy like "I'm not a big fan of Ted Cruz" (or something similar).

I love to discuss politics with my customers if they take the lead and it's obvious that they aren't completely on the opposite side of an issue from me. If they are, I either don't let it go on (avoidance), or I pretend to agree. Yes, I know that's dishonest but my team has a very large revenue goal to make up.:mrgreen:

I love to discuss politics on here but sometimes I think I don't fit in here because I'm not rude enough. There are only a handful of posters I can't stand, and they're on ignore. Some of my favorite posters on here are definitely not centrists.
 
Unitedwestand13 said:
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
Click to expand...

1. Don't allow emotional arguments to take the place of rational ones.
2. Don't be afraid to admit when I'm wrong or have made a mistake.
3. Operate on facts, not assumptions.
4. Be willing to try to see the other's guys point without making judgment on it.
5. Don't be afraid to offend using the truth.
 
Unitedwestand13 said:
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
Click to expand...


I don't think there is an answer or approach. We haven't evolved enough, I guess.
 
Unitedwestand13 said:
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
Click to expand...

Political discussions are pointless unless you're willing to understand and maybe even empathize with the other point of view. Maybe not have to agree with it, but you should respsect it.
 
Unitedwestand13 said:
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
Click to expand...

My brother in law is very conservative, I am very liberal. We end up spending alot of time together and since we are both interested in politics we end up talking about it(though not when others are around, since they get worried...). In short order, we are both yelling. A few minutes later we are both in agreement on something and bitching our government can't figure out how to do what we can. Partisanship is not the problem, it is being unwilling to listen, and unwilling to look for common ground. Those things are not partisan.
 
Unitedwestand13 said:
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
Click to expand...

For the most part no. I would hate to be on a message board for example where everyone agreed with me. it would turn into a circle jerk.

What I can't stand though...is when people roll in with strawmen, ad hom's and stereotypes and try to outright invalidate someone's views just because they have a certain lean. It's a dumb move made by dumb people that have been too long in an echo chamber.
 
Paschendale said:
Ignorance makes it harder. Most people who you would label as partisan hacks simply don't know very much. They don't know a lot about their own side, and they know almost nothing about the other. Or any of the myriad other positions that aren't mainstream R or D. Most don't know that such a thing is possible.

Ignorance is what keeps us back.
Click to expand...
I'm not so sure I would say ignorance as much as stubbornness.
 
Some comments make me think, some make me laugh, some make me shake my head. I am sure others do the same when reading my opinions. Life goes on. We can't take ourselves, or others, too serious. Chances are, we won't change anything by getting upset.
 
Paschendale said:
Ignorance makes it harder. Most people who you would label as partisan hacks simply don't know very much. They don't know a lot about their own side, and they know almost nothing about the other. Or any of the myriad other positions that aren't mainstream R or D. Most don't know that such a thing is possible.

Ignorance is what keeps us back.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this 100% and add to it . . . .

It's partisanship, ignorance and lastly arrogance/close mindedness.

I will be the first to admit there are things politically I simply do not know and it seems many could never say that statement without a gun being held to their head and or throwing up hahaha.

Many people have all of these things which could probably just be described as ignorance like you said but I think its important to point them out.
 
Only if they are rigid in their views and that closes their minds to even considering other viewpoints. How can you disagree vehemently with something if you havent even understood it?

Unfortunately you see it alot here on the forum and then they accuse me of not really being a liberal because of my views on things like guns or immigration. It's called seeing reality and not being locked into thought patterns and trapped in believing what you want to hear, not what's true.
 
Lursa said:
Only if they are rigid in their views and that closes their minds to even considering other viewpoints. How can you disagree vehemently with something if you havent even understood it?

Unfortunately you see it alot here on the forum and then they accuse me of not really being a liberal because of my views on things like guns or immigration. It's called seeing reality and not being locked into thought patterns and trapped in believing what you want to hear, not what's true.
Click to expand...

This is a big one, I have conversations with friends that do this sometimes. A topic will come up that I only know a little bit about and they are totally for it or totally against it but when I ask questions about it they really don't know any details.....WTF?! hahahah people are funny sometimes . . . .
 
It isn't just politics; very few people are willing to debate any controversial topic rationally. Even when there's just a small amount of emotion involved, it trumps facts and logic. I would roughly estimate that 1% of the population is willing to debate rationally, so the only way you can have a rational debate is when you find two people like that, and they also have to be on opposite sides of the issue. I've never seen it happen.
 
Last edited:
Does Partisanship make it difficult for people to discuss politics?
Click to expand...

no. it makes it damned near impossible. especially when the only choices are A and B, and the supporters of both A and B hate their respective choices, but vote for and fight for them anyway.
 
IMO partisanship isn't the problem. It's the symptom.

The problem is intentionally remaining unaware of one's underlying biases, prejudices, privileges, and beliefs. Everyone has them, every single one.

To not even make an effort to become aware of all of these, let alone address them, is to guarantee failure at attempting to debate someone whose biases, prejudices, privileges, or beliefs are very different from your own.
 
My approach is curiosity. I genuinely like to hear what the other side has to say. I read a lot of posts on this forum without saying a word. If I am knowledgeable of the topic I will post up. Otherwise I listen to what is being posted.

My boss is a staunch liberal and I can have a great interesting conversation with him on just about any topic involving politics. No issues no worries. Every time we meet up we tend discuss what's going on in the world. He has interesting points and I enjoy hearing them. It never ends up in a yelling match.

I also have friends who give conservatives a bad name. They are so right leaning I tend to not have many conversations with them. Most of the folks I know who are conservative are knowledgeable and it's a pleasure to discuss topics with them.
 
Unitedwestand13 said:
I don't think that I am making any stunning revelation by stating the obvious fact that politics is a controversial subject, with people of many different viewpoints arguing together. It is also no surprise to anyone that politics can divide people over all kinds subjects.

Now there is nothing wrong with having different points of view, but I sometimes worry that some people's political views are so partisan that they cannot acknowledge people that hold different political positions then they do. In fact, it often feels like people hate each other for having different political leanings.

My question is an open one: how do you approach political discussions?
Click to expand...

If the others are partisan hack morons, there is no point in wasting valuable time with them.
 
Partisanship doesn't make it difficult to discuss politics; it makes it impossible.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom